Marlon Wayans Reveals: How Rejection Fueled His Multi-Million Dollar Comedy Empire | EP 777

The Daily Motivation

Lewis Howes

Education, Self-improvement

4.8 • 960 Ratings

🗓️ 23 October 2024

⏱️ 10 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

"Everything that's supposed to happen happens exactly the way it is. When I say everything is God, you trust God. There's a reason it happened. So just keep doing the work. Don't let it discourage you." Marlon Wayans, the comedy powerhouse behind countless laughs, opens up about the rejection that shaped his relentless work ethic and unshakeable faith. At 19, Wayans was on the cusp of stardom, set to play Robin in Tim Burton's Batman. When that door slammed shut, instead of crumbling, he channeled his disappointment into a fervent drive to create. Wayans reveals how this setback became the catalyst for his multifaceted career as an actor, writer, and stand-up comedian, emphasizing the importance of taking the "scenic route" to success. With raw honesty, Wayans shares his philosophy that "everything is God," transforming perceived failures into stepping stones for growth. He discusses his approach to crafting new stand-up material annually, his strategic moves in self-funding and licensing his comedy specials, and the invaluable lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks. Wayans' journey is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and the power of unwavering self-belief in the face of Hollywood's unpredictability.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi my name is Lewis Howes and welcome to the Daily Motivation Show.
0:07.0	My father taught me the importance of God and the importance of working hard for your family and don't be afraid of hard work.
0:25.4	If you're gonna clean a toilet, no, no, no, get up underneath it.
0:30.8	Getting the ball, getting them when I was working the sneaker stores and stuff, I was a great employee.
0:35.2	That's why when it comes to me doing movies, I've always had great experiences.
0:38.8	All my directors love me because you don't have to tell me, hey can you learn your lines?
0:42.7	No, no, when I leave a set, I don't get away
0:45.3	in a 14 hour a day.
0:46.4	I got my acting coach.
0:47.4	I pay for this.
0:48.7	They pay for it.
0:49.3	And I'm like, all right, let's work.
0:50.7	We're gonna work three hours in the morning
0:52.1	and then we're gonna work an hour before after I work out.
0:55.1	Come back because when I get to set I want to be prepared. I'm going to be prepared. So now I'm not sitting there learning lines. No, I got it all packed in. I'm ready.
1:03.2	I'm ready and you can move me any kind of way
1:05.3	and I can adjust because I'm not worried about gathering lines.
1:09.6	So I do more work than you actually expect or I'm expected to do.
1:16.5	I don't give less. I always give more.
1:19.0	I'm writing movies. If I'm doing, I love to do it all.
1:22.0	I'm there. it all on all the meetings I'm there I'm I don't phone nothing in I do all my writing all my stand up they're like how
1:29.0	Big you how are you dropping a new hour of material every year?
	...

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